Antenna reel



y N c. B. MIRICK 1,856,223

ANTENNA REEL Filed July 30, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 3, 1932. c. B. MIRICK 1,856,223

ANTENNA REEL Filed July 30, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Eriiii'w' l "ni mmi: Qua-6% \JNW Patented May 3, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WARIJOS TB. MIBICK, OI WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOB TO NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SUPPLY GOMPANSLOTF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF OOLUMBIA, A COR- IPOEATION OF VIRGINIA ANTENNA REEL Application filed July 80, 1829. Serial No. 382,234.

My invention relates broadly to radio communication systems and more particularlyto radio communication systems for aircraft.

One of the objects of my invention is to 5 provide a construction of antenna reel for aircraft radio communication systems whereby a positive electrical connection may be made between radio communication apparatus and the length of the antenna adjusted to 10 meet all requirements.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a construction of antenna reel for aircraft wherein improved insulation may be obtained with a minimum of exposed live 18 metal parts.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction of antenna reel having means for latching the antenna reel in selected positions where the antenna may be extended from the aircraft in the form of a trailing wire to a predetermined length adjustable at the'will of the operator.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction of the antenna reel I! as set forth in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an aircraft eguipped with the antenna reel mechanism N 0 my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the antenna reel in position on the aircraft; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the antenna reel of my invention; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through the antenna reel shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the side of the antenna reel taken from the op posits side of the antenna reel shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the operating handle on the antenna reei with parts shown in side elevation; and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the handle on the antenna reel taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

in the antenna reel of my invention I emplo a minimum number of live metal parts and utilize insulation material substantially throughout the antenna reel structure. Special provision is made whereby the opera: tion of the antenna reel ma be controlled by to one hand of the operator w ere heretofore in which sheave connects through the conductor 16 in groove 1a of reel 1 to the movable which the reel may be latched in .a predetermined position, and the effective len th of the antenna wire controlled by the latc ed position of the reel. Provision is made for completing the electrical connection from the antenna wire to the communication apparatus through the latching mechanism which predetermines the effective length of the antenna wire. I

Referring to the drawings in more detail, reference character 1 designates the reel made of insulating material which is journaled upon the spindle 2 around which the bushing 3 which is secured at the reel 1, is rotatably mounted. The spindle 2 is carried by a standard on which there is mounted a late 4 adjacent the reel 1, which plate carries a metallic annular ring 6 which is electrically connected to a lead wire 9 through screwv device 7 and lug 8, which connects to the radio communication apparatus carried on board the aircraft. The reel 1 is mounted on spindle 2 by means of a cap member 5 which is retained in position by screw 5a which is secured ofi' center of the spindle 2 so that the turnin reel cannot loosen or tighten the cap 5. T e standard 10 terminates in a mounting plate 11 which is supported from the frame 12 of the aircraft. The mounting plate 11 serves to secure in position the insulated tube through which the antenna wire 33 and weight 34 are free to pass. The antenna reel 1 is provided with a metal sheave 15 substantially along the center thereof and secured in position by screw member 14,

contact member 17. The movable contact member 17 is in the form of a plunger having central rod 18 thereon, the plunger being normally spring pressed by means of sprin 19 to a position where the plunger is force into a selected one of several notches which are provided in ring 6 for the purpose of locking the reel in 'a predetermined position. When it is necessary to revolve the reel against the obstruction aflorded by the lock between plunger head 17 and the notches in annular ring 6, the plunger is withdrawn from the notches by movement of a de ressible member 25. The depressible mem er 25 is formed on the extremityof a rod member 23 which is provided with an annular flange 28 which may be shifted to the position 28a when member 25 is depressed to the position of 25a to engage beneath the annular shoulder 29 in the tubular member 27 which fits within the knob portion 26. Rod 23 is pivotally connected at 24 to-the lever 20 which rocks about axis 21 and pivots. The end of lever 20 is pivota'lly connected at 22 with .the central rod 18 to which is secured the plunger head 17 The position of lever 20 when depressed is indicated at 20a in dotted outline corresponding to the dotted outlines 25a and 28a, in which position plunger 17 is withdrawn from the notches in ring member 6, enabling the reel to be readily rotated letting out or drawing in the antenna. The moving parts of the releasing lever are housed within casing member 30 which is secured to the reel by screw devices 31-32 which are secured by'suitable retaining nuts 31a and 32a from the opposite face of the reel 1.

In Figure 1, I have shown the complete antenna reel mounted in position in the aircraft 36 and the antenna wire being let down through the insulated tube system under the influence of the weight 34. In the operation of the antenna reel of my invention, the operator may release the reel from locked position by the manipulation of the hand with which he grasps the control knob 26 of the antenna reel. By latching the depress-' ible member 25 beneath the shoulder 29, the.

reel may continue to rotate as the antenna is let down but by moving the member 25 to one side so that the annular flange 28 becomes concentric with tlie bore in the sleeve 27, the spring 19 is rendered effective to project member 25. intonormal position and to extend plunger 17 to a position where the notches in ring member 6 are engaged, thereby bringing the' reel to a, stop in a desired position. The ring member 6 serves as a raking device as plunger 17 may be only partly engaged wit member in bringing the reel to a sto The antenna reel of my invention as been found to be extremely practical in its use as under conditions of operation of radio 1n aircraft, it is not usually possible for the operator to-give his entire attention to the antenna reel and to use both hands in the manipulation thereof, and the fact that the rotatlon of the reel and the braking-may be 65. controlled byonehand of the operator ,as m

the notches in the ring the present instance gives opportunity for the operator to attend to the other vital requirements usually encountered aircraft.

While I have described my invention in one of the practical embodiments thereof, I desire that it be, understoodthat modifications may be made and that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than are imposed by the scope of the appended ed stop position, and an electrical connection between the antenna wire on said reel and said means, said connection being completed through said braking device when said means on said reel is engaged with said braking device for fixin the position of said reel with respect to sai braking device.

2. An antenna reel for aircraft radio communication system's comprising in combination with an antennawire, a rotatable member of insulation material for reeling-said antenna wire, a support for rotatably mounting said rotatable member, a braking device disposed adjacent said support and including an annular member having a; multiplicity of stop positions thereon, a connection extending to radio communication apparatus from the annular member of said braking device, means carried by said reel for selectively engaging any one of the stop positions in the annular ring of said braking device, a connection between the antenna wire on said ree and said means, and manually actuated means for cont-rollin the engagement of said means with said bra 'ng device for fixing the position of said reel and completing connection between the antenna wire and the communication apparatus.

3. An antenna reel for aircraft radio communication systems comprising in combination with an antenna wire, a rotatable member of insulation material for reeling said antenna wire, a support for rotatably mounting said rotatable member, a braking device dis osed-adjacent said suptpprt, said device inc uding an annular mem r, a connection extending to radio communication. apparatus from the annular member of said braking device, means carried by said reel for selectively enga g the annular member of said braking evice, a connection between the antenna wire on said reel and said last mentioned means, a device for controlling'the rotation of said reel, a system of levers adjacent said device, and means controlled by the operation of said system of levers for engaging the annular member of said braking device and establishing electrical connection between the antenna wire on said reel and the radio communication apparatus.

4. An antenna reel for aircraft radio communication apparatus comprising in combination with an antenna wire, a rotatable reel of insulation material for receiving said antenna wire in coiled form thereon, a rotatable mounting for said antenna reel, a hand device adjacent one side of said reel for controlling the rotation thereof, a lever member pivotally mounted onsaid reel, a push rod connected to said lever member and extending through said hand device, a proj'ectable mem ber controlled by the opposite end of said lever, a braking device mounted adjacent said rotatable reel, said braking device being engageable by theprojectable member, a connection extending from said braking device to radio communication apparatus, a connection extending from the antenna wire on said reel to said projectable member, whereby operation of said plunger completes the electrical connection between the antenna wire on said reel and the radio communication apparatus and fixes the position of said rotatable reel.

5. An antenna reel for aircraft radio communication apparatus comprising in combination with an antenna wire, a rotatable reel of insulation material for receiving said antenna wire in coiled formation thereon, means for rotatably mountingsaid reel, braking means located adjacent said reel, a projectable member carried by said reel for engaging said braking means, a connection between said projectable member and the antenna wire on saidreel, a hand device for controlling the rotation of said reel, a push rod concentric with said hand device, a lever interconnecting said push rod with said projectable member, said push rod operating to move said projectable member in either of two positions with respect to said braking device, whereby connection to radio communication apparatus from the antenna wire may be completed when said projectable member is engaged with said braking device and said reel fixed in a predetermined position.

CARLOS B. MIRICK. 

